Summer Academy RUHR.2010 – in search of the lost identity

What had been planned as final event of the summer academy developed into a disputation! The academy invited students from the Ruhr area to discuss on the Ruhr area’s place and significance within Europe. For one wee, topics such as migration/education, city/area/metropolis, arts/culture, medical science/technology were the main discussion points. In fact it was planned to present the results after this week to selected delegates of the European Parliament and to the managing director of RUHR.2010 Oliver Scheytt.

However, the formerly expected presentation developed into a discussion with the delegates. The parliamentarians faced up to a debate on the three-tier school system, the position of women in Germany, cultural fundings and – above all – the identity of the Ruhr Area.

What might be understood as missing conclusion of the week might actually be the result itself.
Students in the Ruhr Area belong to a generation that finds itself in the middle of a structural change. They have to discuss about finding a new identity. A generation in which everybody has his very own definition of identity – which is exactly what the diversity of the Ruhr Area reflects. It is certain that the summer academy has brought up this question that the students may not have asked themselves before. Many students left the summer academy with more questions unanswered than prior to joining it.
That’s why the summer academy should not be considered as the end but as the base for further discussion. An important signal is the fusion of universities and schools of applied science in the Ruhr Area.

Mira Prgomet